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Luke Donald Collection Chardonnay 2011

A crisp, clean minerality and a restrained use of oak, this Chardonnay highlights the excellence of the cooler Carneros wine region. This barrel-fermented Chardonnay, courtesy of one of the world’s finest golfers, shows green apple and stone fruit aromas on the nose and has a broad palate with a touch of cinnamon.

Rose Murray Brown - Scotland on Sunday

"Donald’s ace is this sleek Burgundian-style elegant, citric chardonnay; oaky undertones slice through to a fine long finish. Stylish and not too pricey, considering its origin."

Carneros region of United States

It’s no coincidence that Carneros is also the Spanish word for sheep or lamb, because this region’s main source of income has been farming. However, it is the west of Carneros that is really left to agricultural grazing, and the east of Carneros where the wine magic begins.

Straddling the county lines between Napa and Sonoma, the cool winds that come off the San Pablo Bay take so long to burn off, sometimes as much as a whole morning, that the vineyard area is unquestionably one of the coolest in California, and as such makes it capable of producing crisp and cool wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which together make up a good 85% of this AVA’s production.

It is because of these good conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that Carneros has carved out a reputation for being a good location for Champagne-style sparkling wines too, as some champagne houses who have invested here have found.

Other grape varieties that are starting to sneak into action here are Syrah and Merlot, the latter of which only just just manages to ripen under these comparatively cool conditions, but then it gives the wines a nice crisp edge that its warmer Californian counterparts lack.

Chardonnay

Dominant in Eastern France Chardonnay produces all great white Burgundies, Chablis and is a major grape varietal used for many Champagnes. It even takes its name from a village in the Mâconnais. The success and versatility of Chardonnay has resulted in it being grown across other wine producing nations, with particular success in Australia.

The characteristics of a great Chardonnay wine vary depending on the climate it is grown. In a cool climate (Chablis, Champagne) it is a steely wine, medium to light in body, with high acidity and green fruit notes. In medium, slightly warmer regions there are more citrus notes with buttery and honey characteristics. Then with hot climes you will find strong tropical fruit with lower acidity.

Chardonnay is almost always dry, and has a close affinity with oak. Typically the acids found in Chardonnay make it a strong wine for ageing, with the acids acting as a natural preservative.

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Salads & VegetablesThis wine would suit Caesar, chicken, egg, fish or seafood salad. Would also work well with root vegetables such as carrots, onions and parsnips.Fish & SeafoodSeafood and firm white fish such as plaice, skate and sole are good matches for this wine. You could also pair this wine with a clam chowder, kedgeree and smoked fish.Pasta & Other SaucesThis wine works well with fish based sauces or ones that are light and creamy such as hollandaise. You could also go for a nice parsley sauce or pesto base.MeatsWhether it's grilled, barbecued, baked or casseroled this wine works with white meats such as chicken, turkey and pork but it also suits duck and veal. Herbs & SpicesWorks with big flavours such as coriander, fennel, garlic and ginger but will also work with basil, parsley or tarragon.Spicy FoodsA great wine to enjoy with Thai, Chinese and light Indian dishes such as a Korma.CheesesMatches well to Brie and Camembert but is very well suited to mozzarella and some mature Cheddars.